The theft of a tire led Fort Myers police to what they believe is the largest confiscation of crystal meth in the city.

The theft of the tire on Sept. 14 started the chain of events that led to the arrest of two Lee County men.

Police were called to 2215 Winkler Ave. around noon after the victim said her left front tire of her 2014 Toyota was stolen along with the rim, the hubcap and lug nuts while parked behind her workplace.

The victim’s children reported that they had witnessed another Toyota with a spare tire parked next to their mother’s vehicle and two males with a lug wrench/tire iron standing next to it..

About 10 minutes later they noticed that the second Toyota was gone along with their mother’s tire.

Detective Charles Newell and National Guard Specialist Frank Ullua came upon a 2016 Toyota with two males and a female standing outside of it and noticed a tire jack on the ground and a driver side tire that did not have a hubcap on it.

The National Guard was assisting FMPD officers during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

A search of the vehicle found two boxes of ammunition, suspected drug paraphernalia, digital scales, 47.1 grams of marijuana in various baggies and 364.1 grams of methamphetamine in crystalize rock form and individually packaged orange baggies.

“The street value of the methamphetamine alone is estimated to be over $14,000,” said FMPD Sergeant Lesa Breneman. “We believe it is the largest amount of meth ever confiscated by the FMPD."

Cardenas and Russette remain in Lee County jail and will be arraigned Oct. 16.